Wilderness (preaching outline)

GOD WITH US—2

IN THE WILDERNESS

23“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, ‘God is with us.’”

Valley—Enjoy him on the mountaintops—Get to know him valleys.

Experiencing God in Wilderness

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Wilderness: Metaphor: Trials—Hardship—Wandering

Not sure what you should do next

Ø Stay in job—Back school—Loans—Something better—Wilderness.

Ø Continue to rent (No equity)—Faith step to purchase—Wilderness.

Ø Keep dating—Hope propose—Call quits, start over—Wilderness.

She’s close God—His career is moving—Kids—House—Vacation

Stuck—Paralyzed—Afraid

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Wilderness often follows mountaintops.

Jesus baptized—At once sent into wilderness tempted 40 days

Friend betrayed you—Hate job—$ pressure—Spouse wasn’t honest

Hurting—Confused—Empty

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· YOUR DEEPEST NEED BECOMES A GIFT WHEN IT DRIVES YOU TO DEPEND ON GOD.

Elijah learned principle—OT—God used him in massive way (Mountain)

Elijah falls into depression and desperation.

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King Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah (Mt Carmel)—Killing prophets.

Jezebel sent word to Elijah—By this time tomorrow—I will kill you.

3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 100 mi—Running

Ø Teenagers—At some point—Up to here—Don’t make me…

Ø Boss is passive aggressive, narcissistic, demanding.

Ø Making up ground financially—Car breaks, toilet floods, tictac nose.

Ø Make dinner for everyone and they all leave dishes on table (UP)

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You can handle a lot—One thing pushes you over.

Stood down evil King Ahab—Prophesied drought consequence sin.

For 3 years, King Ahab—full force pursuing Elijah.

While hiding—Fed by ravens—Raised the dead

Stands down 850 false prophets—Called Fire

Destroy false prophets—Asked God for rain—Cloud.

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Protection and provision of God!

Really angry woman makes a threat—Falls apart!

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When you look at Eljiah—He seems exhausted—Maybe you can relate.

TIRED—Not just tired—Depleted.

Physical rest—Spiritual replenishment.

The Lord is my shepherd—Makes me lie down—Restores my soul.

God doesn’t preach a sermon! Doesn’t rebuke Eljiah! Where’s your faith?

God tells him to eat and rest.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 5b-6 (Gluten free)

Most spiritual thing you could do is rest.

Be still and know… Dig a well…

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7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (Snooze button)

Serve a God of 2nd Chances.

Didn’t get it right last time—Lord is coming to you again. (UP)

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What are you doing here?

What good is this going to do? Awake at night.

10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

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Then God meets Elijah in his need.

Your deepest need becomes a gift when it drives you to depend on God.

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

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Wind—Lord was not in the wind

Earthquake—Lord not in earthquake

Fire—Not in the fire.

Earth—Wind and Fire—God is not in any of it.

God wasn’t in the remarkable!

God was in the ordinary.

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God was in the whisper.

When we are overwhelmed by stress—Overcome by anxiety?

Why does God’s voice seem so quiet?

Why doesn’t he speak to us in spectacular and powerful ways?

If he wants me to know him? Experience him? Trust him?

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Why does he whisper?

He whispers because… He is (always) close.

The devil shouts lies—God whispers truth.

Not by shouting louder—But he’s calling me closer.

He is with you—He is here!

Never leave you—Never forsake you!

Storm—Foot of bed—Six kids—Close.

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The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

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I’d rather be in the wilderness with God

than on the mountain without him.

Your deepest need becomes a gift—drives you to depend on God.

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Mandy—God chose me for this…

Woudn’t want anyone else—Woulnd’t want to do it again…

Your deepest need becomes a gift—drives you to depend on God.